Behind the Lectern: Caribbean Lecturers’ Perspectives on Group Work

This book explores groupwork in tertiary education, charting its evolution, purpose, psychological foundations, and practical application, and enriches global perspectives with insights from 47 Caribbean lecturers. It begins with definitions, historical roots of group learning, and then examines major pedagogical approaches such as cooperative and collaborative learning. Subsequent chapters explore the psychology of group dynamics and the stages of group development. Attention is given to the effective group formation, the benefits and drawbacks of group work, and the challenges of fair and meaningful assessment. This book is grounded in mixed-methods research, with both quantitative findings and rich qualitative narratives from Caribbean professors. Later chapters explore the transition from academic collaboration to professional readiness and conclude with a forward-looking discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing group work. This book offers a timely, comprehensive resource for educators, researchers, and policymakers invested in improving collaborative learning in higher education.

Kadeshah Swearing is Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance, University College of the Cayman Islands, and a strategist with over 20 years of teaching experience. Her areas of specialisation include game theory, finance, mathematics, computer science, English literature, and groupwork. She strongly advocates for the integration of groupwork and AI in teaching and learning.